Nobody in California knows more about high school baseball and what makes the top programs in California great.  Les Lukach is the Prep Baseball Report California Director of Scouting, and a former baseball and football coach.   EightLaces.org/Podcast Les Lukach has been ingrained in the Southern California baseball scene for nearly a decade. After coaching in high school, Lukach began scouting in Orange County, covering prep players for a blog he created that took off. From there, he broadened his reach to all of Southern California. Eventually Lukach was contracted to scout from different services online before shifting his focus solely on his blog. Lukach graduated from Long Beach State University.  Follow him on Twitter at @LesLukach.

CLP Episode 13 - What makes a high school baseball (and every other sport) program great?  Guest Les Lukach, Prep Baseball Report

Think about your favorite locker.

My locker was pretty clean most of the time. That’s just how I am: a neat freak.  But my players’ lockers?  Most lockers out there are filled with all kinds of things!

Pair of cleats, old pair of cleats, 13 socks, an old ball glove, a few balls, seeds spilt all over, 3 water bottles, a belt . . . . . . . and the list goes on right?!

Just like most lockers are filled with things that you may or may not need everyday, this podcast will focus on a variety of topics meant for most coaches most of the time.  

Obviously, a girls volleyball coach in Tennessee probably won’t want to hear much about the 6 Commandments of Your Kick Return Team!  We won’t spend much time on xs and os.  NO time on defensive or offensive x and os!  

Lockers get locked, to keep them safe.

I want this podcast to be a safe place for coaches to come to during the week.  Not a “safe space.”   I ain’t talking about that. I’m just talking about a place you can come, as the coach of any sport to find a home!

Lockers aren’t good all alone! 

And those who use lockers aren’t designed to be alone either.  Think about how lame a locker room would be with just one locker!   Lockers need support.  Coaches need support. I want this podcast to be a support to coaches!

Sports

Football

Chris Fore interviews sports journalist and NY Times Best selling author Jeff Pearlman about his upcoming book about the LA Lakers dynasty with Kobe and Shaq.  They also talk about the craziness of youth sports in 2020, who one of his favorite athletes is and why, how Phil Jackson got Shaq and Kobe to work so well together on the court, how coaches and authors have a lot of similarities and much more in this great podcast!

CLP 61 - Jeff Pearlman, NY Times Best Selling Author

At the request of Brazilian football coach  Fabrício Ataíde (@fabricioataide)  Coach Fore shares Top 10 Characteristics of Championship Football Programs with Football Coaches in Brazil.  

CLP Episode 59 – Building Championship Caliber Football Programs Clinic for Brazil Coaches

The horrific death of African American George Floyd at the hands of a white police officer in Minnesota has sparked protests in every one of the 50 states. On this podcast, Chris Fore hosts four African American coaches to discuss their experiences as black men in this country. Further, they discuss how non-black coaches, teachers, and leaders can more effectively teach and coach African American students and athletes.

CLP Episode 58 – Roundtable With 4 African American Coaches

Nothing will ruin the life of a student-athlete or get a coach fired quicker than hazing run amok.  Coaches have a lot of duties to be mindful of as they manage their athletic programs.  Hazing prevention should be near the top of that list. Chris Fore interviews Dennis Goodwin, @ahcnohaze, the co-founder of the Anti Hazing Collaborative about many different facets of hazing and bullying in locker rooms and on athletic teams.

CLP Episode 57  – Hazing In Sports Programs

There is no doubt that Vista Murrieta High School has been one of the most outstanding athletic programs in California year in and year out. One of the men behind the success of the Broncos’ athletic program is longtime Athletic Director Ray Moore. Fore interviews Moore about the reasons for their success, and what goes on behind the scenes to build a highly competitive athletic program at the high school level.

CLP Episode 13 - What makes a high school baseball (and every other sport) program great? Guest Les Lukach, Prep Baseball Report

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